My friend and coach, Julie Naster, posted a great article about the danger of getting facts and interpretation mixed. Things she calls "assertions" are statements of fact, like the weather is 45 degrees. "Assessments" are the judgements we apply to those, for instance "it is cold and dreary" or "it is crisp and refreshing."

If we collapse the two or confuse them, we are ruled by our unguarded thoughts instead of having mastery over them. This is the little collapse that can lead to an avalanche in our mood or perspective, trapping us below it.

When you catch yourself making a judgement statement today see if it is fact and if there are alternative explanations that might be more useful to you?

Photo by Nebulous1 on flickr.